Written answers

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Department of Health

General Practitioner Services Provision

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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487. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the implementation of the free GP care to all children under the age of six scheme; if any impact analysis has been carried out to assess the challenges arising from the scheme; the numbers of contracts awarded for the provision of free GP care to all children under the age of six; the number of children who have availed of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20536/16]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There have been significant developments in the general practice service recently, with more services being made available to our citizens and additional support provided by the HSE. Under a Framework Agreement, signed in 2014, the HSE, the Department of Health, and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs.

As part of this process, the first two phases of universal GP care without fees were successfully introduced in 2015, firstly, for children under the age of 6 years and, secondly, for all people aged 70 years and over. This has resulted in approximately 800,000 people now being eligible for GP care without fees, without having to undergo a means test. The under-6s GP service contract includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and a cycle of care for children with asthma.

I have recently met with GP representative bodies to discuss the future development of general practice and I have assured them of the Government's commitment to developing primary healthcare services for all our citizens and the key role of general practice in that context. In order to ensure that the potential benefits of an enhanced integrated primary healthcare sector can be realised and supported by a new contract for general practice services, I am currently considering a number of options around this process, including the possibility of broader consultations with stakeholders.

GPs do not currently provide information to the HSE in relation to patient visit activity, waiting times etc. In the absence of such general practice activity data, it is not possible to provide any further information requested by the Deputy in relation to the introduction of free GP care to children under 6 years.

In relation to the Deputy's request for information on the number of contracts awarded to GPs for the provision of services to children under 6 years and the number of children who have availed of the service, these queries have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy as they relate to service matters. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.

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